Chapter 1: Red Building
Swallow Tower is a nine-story red building built by Chen Mingan himself, said to be used for weddings.
Princess Ronghua Zhu Huaizhen has been waiting for five years since she spotted him as the third place winner in the imperial examination at the Golden Palace.
Just because of what he said, Your Highness, would you like me, a humble minister, to marry you?
Now that Chen Ming'an has been appointed Prime Minister, Zhu Huaizhen can finally wear the phoenix crown and marry Chen Ming'an.
Last night, Chen Mingan quietly sent someone to deliver a piece of pine flower paper, on which he wrote: Zhenzhen, there will be a surprise at Yanzi Tower tomorrow.
Surprise? Zhu Huaizhen was moved.
At dusk, she ignored the nanny's dissuasion, jumped out of the sedan chair and ran straight to Swallow Tower.
Ascending to the third level, she reminisced: she longed for playfulness and wanted to visit Hanshan Temple to see the peach blossoms in April. The emperor, concerned for her safety, assigned a detachment of imperial guards to her. Unfortunately, they encountered assassins, resulting in numerous casualties. Fortunately, Chen Ming'an arrived in time to block the fatal blow.
Ascending the sixth floor, she reminisced: She was still playful, wanting to escape Gusu City, so she disguised herself as a man and took only a few guards with her. They were then met by bandits. Fortunately, Chen Ming'an descended from the sky, but the bandits slashed her back with a sword, sending her crashing to the ground. The bandits then abducted her, demanding she crawl under their crotch or else they would tear her clothes, which she did.
Ascending to the ninth floor, she reminisced: she suffered from a heart condition that made her vulnerable to stress. Yet, folk legends about her previous robbery claimed she had been exploited by bandits, causing her to faint from anger. The city's renowned doctors were summoned to the palace, but none dared prescribe a remedy. Chen Ming'an knelt before the city's bodhisattvas, praying to the heavens for her protection.
Everyone says that Chen Ming'an loves Princess Ronghua terribly.
The orioles sing in the jade trees of Jinling at dawn, the flowers bloom in the Qinhuai waterside pavilions early, who knew that the ice would melt so easily! I watched him build a red building, I watched him entertain guests, and I watched his building collapse...
I don’t know which actor was so blind as to sing a sad song on her wedding day.
"Tu Mi, find this actor for me and kick him out." Zhu Huaizhen said angrily.
The maid Tu Mi was ordered to leave, and Zhu Huaizhen then looked into the distance through the telescope.
I don’t know if Chen Mingan prepared a city full of camellias for her.
Oh, she likes the azalea black tea the best.
As a result, she saw no surprise, only shock.
The flags of the enemy country, Southern Yan, were planted on the city walls.
For some reason, the city gates on all four sides were wide open.
The soldiers smashed, looted and burned everything along the way, and even shot a young girl who had no time to escape.
"Haitang, go find the emperor quickly!" Zhu Huaizhen covered his chest, feeling pain.
"It's too late, Princess Ronghua, oh no, it should be called Princess of the Lost Country." The girl's voice was delicate and she coughed lightly.
The visitor was Zhao Lian'er, Princess Xincheng of Southern Chu. Last year, she was taken to Southern Wu by the Queen Mother to recuperate.
"Zhao Lian'er, did you, Nanchu, betray our Nanwu and defect to Nanyan?" Zhu Huaizhen asked.
"Zhu Huaizhen, Brother Ming'an said that he was very disgusted and fell in love with you, and asked me to train you well." A ferocious smile appeared on Zhao Lian'er's lips.
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of Nanyan guards, each of them with a burly figure, rushed out from behind Zhao Lian'er.
Seeing this, Zhu Huaizhen was terrified and tried to run away, but a guard who was old enough to be her father grabbed her arm tightly and twisted it back, causing the bones to snap and dislocate. The pain made Zhu Huaizhen's teeth chatter and tears well up in her eyes.
"Bitch, you still think you are a princess, but you are just a piece of slut ridden by thousands of people." The old guard slapped Zhu Huaizhen dozens of times in a row, causing Zhu Huaizhen's cheeks to swell up.
Then, another old guard also became interested. Regardless of Zhu Huaizhen's struggle, he took off Zhu Huaizhen's shoes and bent his toes, which were as round as pearls, one by one, causing Zhu Huaizhen to scream heart-wrenchingly.
"Everyone, you are too gentle." Zhao Lian'er smiled tenderly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the guards rushed forward together, whipping Zhu Huaizhen one after another until she rolled on the ground. Her skirt was torn, and the intact skin on her body formed a bright contrast with the bloodstains, like a red plum blossom in the snow, which aroused the desire to abuse her.
"Bitch, you're lucky today. I'll give you an unforgettable wedding night." The old guard rubbed his hands, drooling, and was the first to pounce.
What followed was humiliation over and over again, crushing all of Zhu Huaizhen's self-esteem.
Zhu Huaizhen was in so much pain that he was almost numb. He simply closed his eyes like a dead fish.
"Died so soon? I originally wanted to invite you to attend the wedding ceremony between me and Brother Ming'an. By the way, remember, Brother Ming'an is the eldest son of Duke Dingguo of Southern Yan. We have been childhood sweethearts." Zhao Lian'er leaned over, stretched out her index finger, and felt Zhu Huaizhen's breath.
After saying this, Zhu Huaizhen suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed Zhao Lian'er, and jumped off the Swallow Tower.
The scarlet silk skirt spread out in the wind, just like her favorite azalea black tea, splashing with blood and tears.
Chen Mingan, you have caused our country to be destroyed and our family to be ruined. All I can do is take away your loved ones and make you live in guilt for the rest of your life!
The "History of the Great Jin Dynasty. Book of Wu" records: In the 23rd year of Huining, Southern Yan, passing through Southern Chu, destroyed Southern Wu. Princess Ronghua of Southern Wu committed suicide by jumping from the Swallow Tower. The last emperor of Southern Wu, along with Concubine Xue, set himself on fire. A miraculous sight occurred within Gusu City: the Swallow Tower collapsed with a loud bang, and the camellias withered instantly.
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